Our Mission

As small business owners, we advocate for policies that promote responsible economic development, environmental stewardship, and investment in community. We are the backbone of Maine’s economy, and we help provide a political voice for Maine’s small business community. We believe that good economic policy works both for small business owners and the customers they serve.

We, the undersigned business owners, executives and investors, call on the President and Congress to end tax dodging and support a level playing field for business by enacting strong legislation to stop tax haven abuses. Offshore tax havens reward tax evaders, rob public coffers of needed revenue and offload taxes to responsible businesses and households.

Lately I've been calling upon MSBC members like you a lot -- to testify in Augusta, to call members of the Legislature and Congress, and to sign letters of support. I appreciate how so many of you have pitched in so readily and so often.

Though we by no means win every battle, yesterday, our advocacy for small business paid off in a very real way.

Senators Snowe & Collins voted with the majority in the Senate to cap debit swipe fees at reasonable and proportional rates, putting an end to overly burdensome fees on transactions that line the pockets of Wall Street bankers to the tune of $16 billion every year.

This reform came in large part due to your advocacy. Starting next month, debit swipe fees will be dramatically reduced. If your business relies on frequent debit transactions, then this is advocacy that literally pays off.

Maine Small Business Statement in Support of Workers and Bargaining Rights:
People with Good-Paying Jobs are the Bedrock of Our Customer Base
May 30, 2011

Honorable Members of the Labor, Research, Commerce and Economic Development Committee:

As small business owners, we know our businesses are the foundation of our local economies. We also know the foundation of our success is a healthy customer base. People with good-paying jobs, including public employees and workers in the private sector, are the bedrock of that customer base.

For business owners, one of the most significant changes to come out Federal financial reform were new regulations on fees banks and credit card companies can charge on debit card transactions.

Swipe fee reform for small businesses was passed last year and is set to go into effect this summer, but Wall Street's army of lobbyists is swarming Capitol Hill trying to delay this common sense legislation for another 2 years. Make no mistake, delaying these reforms is allowing it to die quietly.

Click below to add your name to this letter supporting the important protections of the Kid-Safe Products Act:

To the Honorable Members of the Joint Standing Committee on the Environment and Natural Resources:

We the undersigned Maine businesses call on this Committee and the Legislature at large to defend the Kid-Safe Products Act. To protect Maine children and Maine businesses, we must make sure that all the products children are exposed to (not just toys) don’t contain chemicals that threaten their health and development. Many of the proposals in LD 1129 would effectively cripple a law that provides critical information and protection to businesses and families. Every Maine consumer deserves a home that is free of toxic chemicals, just as every Maine business deserves the right to know that the products being sold on their shelves are safe.

We encourage you to preserve the Kid-Safe Products Act, reject LD 1129 and: